Scientific Research

If one could search the mind of Nemu Kurotsuchi, they could find that she wasn't too fond of the abuse she receives from her 'father', Squad Twelve Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi. In his eyes, she was nothing more than a Mod Soul/Gigai combination. But if she were to do something without 'Frankenstein's' consent, she'd be in a lot of trouble. Let's just say that if there was an award for most depressed, she would lose narrowly to the Kotetsu sisters.

Right now, Nemu was taking some paperwork to Head Captain Shunsui Kyoraku. Mayuri didn't bother to use a Hell Butterfly this time around because he was busy with something. She felt like there was another presence following her, so she turned around and saw nobody. "That's strange. It must've been the wind," she said to herself. She turned around and saw Rangiku Matsumoto right in her face. "Lieutenant Matsumoto."

"What are you up to, Nemu?" Rangiku asked.

"I'm delivering this paperwork to Head Captain Kyoraku. Speaking of which, I believe you need to get your paperwork done as well."

"Let me guess: Captain Kurotsuchi decided to make you that much of a working stiff, am I right?"

"I haven't the slightest inclination as to what you are implying. I am quite at peace with my occupation as a Lieutenant."

"Yeah right, and I just got a promotion," Rangiku said with a chuckle.

"If I'm not mistaken, Lieutenant Matsumoto, I have detected a hint of rhetorical statement in that sentence. I believe the humans call it 'sarcasm'," said Nemu.

"Look, Honey, guys just aren't attracted to workaholics. You happen to fall in that category."

"Incorrect. Is Captain Soifon not attached to her work and in a relationship with the Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki? What of Rukia Kuchiki for that matter? Is she not attached to her work and spending time with him as well?"

Rangiku just gave her a look that said 'Yeah, whatever.' She also got an idea to get Nemu off work for a bit. "Nemu, what would you think if I said that Ichigo could add you to his harem?"

This question shocked Nemu big-time. "Why would you ask that? That is highly preposterous. I really have to get this paperwork to the Head Captain."

"Oh come on now. You can't possibly believe that Ichigo wouldn't take a beautiful girl like you in, can you?"

"The chances of me being included into a relationship in which I would have to share the male with other females, such as you, are slim-to-none. I do not see why I should even contemplate giving the whole 'harem' subject any thought. It is absolutely absurd," Nemu stated.

"Look, Nemu, you need to get out of the lab more often. Captain Soifon and Rukia have fun in the harem. On top of that, Ichigo's diverse. In addition to me, Rukia, Soifon, and Yoruichi, he has Orihime, Tatsuki Arisawa, Riruka Dokugamine, and the Quincy Bambietta Basterbine," said Rangiku.

"So Bambietta Basterbine has survived the war?"

"Yep, and she's the only Quincy in Ichigo's harem. Orihime made a request to not include any more Quincies after her. Just think of it as a little scientific research to see if you'll like it. I guarantee you that you will. Plus, Bambietta's a nice girl once you get to know her. She's just a little misunderstood."

Nemu went into deep thought before coming up with an answer. "Very well, I'll ask Master Mayuri for permission to go into the World of the Living."

"That's the spirit!"


After she dropped off the paperwork and asked Mayuri if she could go to the World of the Living for some scientific research of her own (which Mayuri surprisingly granted), Nemu made her way to the Black Crescent, which is where Ichigo lives with his harem. Right now, in the building were the owner, Tatsuki, Yoruichi, Bambietta, and Orihime. Riruka was with Soifon checking on the hideouts that Xcution used to live in.

Nemu knocked on the door and Orihime answered it. "Long time, no see, Nemu," Orihime said excitedly. She was definitely happy that the artificial Lieutenant dropped in, despite the fact that she was Mayuri's assistant. "Ichigo, look who it is!"

"Hey, Nemu, what brings you here?" Ichigo asked with a smile on his face. Nemu being Nemu, she didn't exactly return it.

"I'm here on a scientific research assignment, Ichigo. And before you inquire if Master Mayuri has sent me, that would be a negative; I asked for permission myself," she explained. Ichigo being Ichigo, he knew that one of the other girls in Soul Society had a hand in it. He knew that Soifon was with Riruka and Rukia wouldn't be that irresponsible, which just left his busty Squad 10 Lieutenant girlfriend.

"Remind me to thank Rangiku the next time we see her," he whispered in Yoruichi's ear, causing her to giggle. Ichigo then turned to Nemu. "I take it that you were inquiring about the harem?"

"Affirmative. I'm here to find out the benefits and drawbacks to being within a relationship where you are shared between multiple women." Nemu then looked around at the girls. "I must admit, you do have a lot of beauty here. I would like to take down a few notes if you don't mind." Ichigo and Yoruichi smirked at the artificial girl.

"There is definitely a benefit, Nemu. He gets a blanket of beautiful women each night. We also come home to a nice place all the time. But the experience isn't exactly something you can just write down on a sheet of paper. You, my dear Nemu, need to take a more hands-on approach and try it yourself," said Yoruichi.

"And just how, Lady Shihoin, do you expect me to do that?" Nemu asked, unaware that Tatsuki and Bambietta were sneaking up behind her.

"Easy. Like this," Tatsuki said before she and Bambietta pushed the artificial beauty toward Ichigo. Ichigo caught her in arms to keep her from falling over. Nemu looked up and saw that Ichigo was holding her. The substitute saw that she had a massive blush on her face.

"Now was that really necessary, you two?" Ichigo asked.

"Sorry, Ichigo, we couldn't help it," said Bambietta.

"Don't forget, Tatsuki, that Ichigo got you and me in a similar manner," Yoruichi pointed out. "And it didn't include pushing the new girl."

"Oh yeah that's right. He danced with you and sparred with me. How'd he get together with Soifon again?"

"She and I kicked Dad's and Omaeda's asses to New York and back after working on Dad's truck and taking down a Hollow," said Ichigo.

"What about Rukia?"

"She paid a visit and we talked."

"And Rangiku?"

"She tried a pointless blackmail," Yoruichi answered.

'Observation: The Harem King has different ways of engaging in a relationship with his females,' Nemu thought, jogging the notes down in her mind. 'Side-Note: Ichigo is firm, yet extremely comfortable to hold on to. He makes the perfect confidant.'

Nemu surprised Ichigo by hugging him. "Nemu, are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm perfectly fine, Ichigo. I would feel much better if we were to engage in oral contact. I believe you call it a 'kiss'," she answered. Really, she wanted to know what it was like to kiss someone, whether or not it was out of love.

Once again, Ichigo was being a gentleman. He complied with Nemu's request and kissed her (at the encouragement of Yoruichi of course). 'Observation: Oral contact, or 'kissing', is great. I'll have to do it again with Ichigo later,' Nemu thought.


Later, Soifon and Riruka got back to the Black Crescent after checking out the hideouts. Riruka went to bed while Soifon stayed up with Ichigo. "Lady Yoruichi tells me that you added Nemu Kurotsuchi to the harem. Is that true?" she asked, kissing him afterwards.

"Yeah that's true. I don't think that Yoruichi has ever lied to us before," Ichigo said. "I know you said that Nemu and the Kotetsu sisters were off limits. I'm sorry I didn't consult you before, Soifon."

"It's quite alright, Ichigo. Nemu needed to get out of the lab more often. So who do we have to thank for that?"

"We have Rangiku to thank. Rukia wouldn't think of trying to add Nemu."

"Yeah, Rukia loves you. In fact, I'd say that even Lady Yoruichi has been trumped in showing how much love and affection she has for you. And then there's Orihime, Tatsuki, and Riruka. Who else has grown fond of you since you've met Rukia?"

"An Arrancar by the name of 'Neliel tu Odelschwanck'," Ichigo answered. "She has a bit of a grip in her adult form, but I find her childish personality pretty adorable. I wonder how she's doing now."

"We can always find out. Orihime told me about Neliel and how she got along with her and Rukia. She must be one of the rare 'good' Hollows," said Soifon.

"I'd like that, Honeybee." Ichigo and Soifon kissed each other goodnight afterwards.

THE END


And that's the first of my three bonus chapters as well as my 9th entry in the 'Black Crescent' series. I'm sorry that I took so long in updating this series, but hey, motivation comes at its own time.